Southern California -- this just in

Low turnout prompts talk of shifting L.A. election schedule

March 6, 2013 | 12:31
pm

Alarmed by poor turnout in this week's election, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson suggested Wednesday that city leaders look at scheduling city elections so that they coincide with state electoral contests.

Turnout was just above 16%, according to the unofficial results released by the city clerk’s election division. Wesson called that number “awful” and “embarrassing” and said it should send a message to the city’s elected officials -- as well as to the voters themselves.

“We need to look at maybe consolidating our elections with the state,” Wesson told his colleagues at Wednesday's council meeting. “We have to bring those turnout numbers … higher.”